She was presented the award on Friday evening before a crowd of 450 delegates of the Global Forum in Wroclaw, Poland. The awards recognise extraordinary individuals and organisations that defend and advance the cause of freedom.

“It [the award] is a good sign that more and more global organisations are recognising digital civil liberties and the work done, voices raised by activists,” Dad told The Express Tribune via telephone from Wroclaw. “[Global Forum] panels recognised that regulation by governments of online space is increasing and it is significant that there is growing international concern about that.”

Asked about the impact of this award will have back home where she has faced hostility from official quarters, Dad hoped that it will prompt the government to take note of issues she has raised. “Pakistani government should think that these awards mean that digital rights activists are doing something right with regards to civil liberties.”

The awards were set up in Berlin in 2009 on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. She is the second Pakistani to receive the award. In 2013, teenage education activist Malala Yousafzai was honoured with this award. Past winners of the award include US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

Reader Comments (2)

@?:
Why is it that everytime a woman managed to achieve something in Pakistan some unnamed source is always there to tell the world that she doesnt’ deserve it. If you really did work with her and if she really is incompetent as you say, how about using your real name instead of hiding behind a question mark.

High time we start owning the amazing women that make the country proud instead of pulling this stuff every single time. Recommend